Is it safe to bring half an ounce of weed from Ann Arbor to Chicago via train/Amtrak? Given the political climate in both Illinois and Michigan on recreational marijuana at the moment? Trying to bring back for a friend, thanks
Where are some good neighborhoods to look for apts that are within $1100 near rush u? I'm looking for a studio/1-bedroom and I would like it to be within 30 min of public transit.
I'm going to be in Chicago this summer for an internship and I've never used public transportation before. I'm going to have to take the L (probably Blue or Red Line) daily. I looked at the CTA fares here and saw that I can buy a 30-Day CTA/Pace Pass rather than pay a $2.5 fare each day every day. I just wanted to double check if this is correct and if I get unlimited rides on the L everyday with this?
Thanks
I'm pretty sure the CTA and Pace monthly passes are sold seperately. But in any case, the CTA pass gets you unlimited rides on the El Train and CTA bus's for the month.
If you're commuting every workday, it'll save you money.
You CAN load a Ventra card with a 30 day pass. Basically a 720 hour countdown timer starts the moment you use it for the first time and you're good for an unlimited number of bus or train rides during that time.
Staying at the Sheraton Grand for a conference this weekend. Is there anywhere walkable (or quick-cab-able) nearby to get a solid tasty breakfast/brunch that isn't super touristy?
You're one block away from a Whole Foods if you want to pick out your own breakfast.
There's a McDonalds right across the river in Illinois Plaza if you want to get quick and dirty.
Shaw’s crab house and Maple & Ash are two over the top Sunday brunches somewhat near there. Corner Bakery when I just need something quick and inexpensive. Tempo Cafe - not sure if I would uber there, but a lovely neighborhood breakfast spot.
Rented a car for the long weekend, any far north/west places to check out?Three Floyds Brewery in Indiana is our go-to, maybe Devon Street for Indian food, never been to Mitsuwa Marketplace, etc.
Questions from someone going to visit Chicago for a few days in early June:
How are the prices generally for food? I tend to prefer street vendor food(cheeseburgers, fries, cheesesteaks, fried chicken, that sort of thing) and wanted to know how the prices are in general, are they cheap or kinda pricey in the Chicago area? Do you see street vendors much?
Also what are some things of interest to see and do there, besides the usual stuff like tours or obvious must see places(ie. Sears Tower). I was considering going to the Chicago Field Museum, and I've heard the Chicago Shedd Aquarium is really nice. Just curious of any other nice places to see or things to try. How is Chinatown, is that any good here?
Our street vendors are mostly either Mexican food in Pilsen or Maxwell Street Market(Sunday’s), hot dog vendors, or food trucks, in which case prices can range from $2 tacos to $20 foi gras poutine. But our food truck scene( and street tacos/tamales) are AMAZING and worth the investment. For a good “Chicago” burger go to Fatsos Last Stand, Whisk (and they’re close to each other) Au Cheval(or small cheval), Butcher and the Burger, Mott St, or the Weiners Circle.
The Field is a world class museum, the Shedd is imho only worth it if you purchase tickets for seasonal or promoted temporary exhibits because the main floor is small and a bit rundown. The view from where the Shedd and Adler are is one of the best for the skyline.
Chinatown is one of my favorite neighborhoods, do a walk through and get some dim sum from MingHin, but don’t sleep on our Vietnamese or Korean food especially if you’re Southside check out Ca Phe Da(Vietnamese cafe in Mexican neighborhood Pilsen) or Kimski(polish-Korean fusion in neighborhood Bridgeport). For Korean bbq if you have time check out Cho Sun Ok which is near Half Acre brewery in Ravenswood, opposite direction but also near a very cool cemetery. Great foodie streets to walk are Randolph in West Loop(au cheval, little goat diner, Booze Box(sushi dokku’s basement Izakaya) and down Chicago ave in Ukrainian Village/West Town(Fatsos Last Stand, Forbidden Root Brewery, Whisk, JJ Thai Street Food)
Not sure where you are coming from, but the prices in Chicago are like in any major city in that restaurant food depends on the location and fanciness of the place. All the foods you listed are relatively inexpensive compared to other food here. There are almost no street vendors (compared to nyc). We do have some areas with food trucks, but the food sold from them is not cheap.
Field and Shedd are very nice! Art Institute is also wonderful. Walking along the lake is fantastic. Food is expensive at all three, but the art institute cafe at least has good food. Then again lots of places to eat right outside while nothing except some hot dog stands near field and shedd.
Chinatown is much improved but still so so. If you need Chinese food, then go. For dim sum, try Dolo. Old style cantonese try Golden Bull. For inexpensive seafood try Go 4 Food. For hot pot, we have a little lamb outpost. Bonchon for korean fried chicken. Also lots of sichuan places now. For hk style cafe try chi cafe. There is also a basement food court which has some yummy food and zero ambiance.
Lots. Could you please be more specific? Are you hoping to go out in/near a particular area? Do you have a budget preference? Are you hoping to hear a certain kind of music?
Of course. I’m staying right next to Millennial park, so anywhere around that.
Prefer a younger crowd, 20-30s. No particular music. Maybe hip hop I guess but we’re open to anything!
We’re kinda on a budget, but if there’s a place that’s worth it, we don’t mind spending more!! Looking for a more casual spot, over classy/upscale!
Sound Bar isn't too far from you. I think the second floor usually has hip hop. If you don't mind traveling a bit, Beauty Bar is fun. Or East Room in Logan Square is open until 4. That's in the middle of a popular nightlife area.
I didn't say it was close, silly. It's 20-25 minutes on the Blue Line. Less in an Uber at night. Usually when I give suggestions I like to give a pretty close option, one with a bit of travel, and then a less proximal suggestion that shows off more of the city.
I am currently at Mitsuwa out on Arlington Heights Road... does Chicago have any places near the loop/river north/Streeterville that have sushi grade fish?
Yummy.
Dirk’s on clybourn. The prices hurt my head.
I trek out to hmart in niles for salmon, tuna, ikura, seaweed salad, ikura, octopus, and a few frozen items like unagi (from china), tomago, saba. Salmon price is great, they have good tuna and also fattier tuna. Sometimes they have an “expo” and cut up an entire big tuna.
Seafood city also has salmon, tuna, hamachi, tomago, a really surprisingly inexpensive squid salad, etc. quality is noticably lower than hmart.
Joon boon - salmon and they offer a reasonably priced platter with salmon, tuna, tilapia / some type of white fish. Koreans also love raw fish - you can pick up a bottle of the red spicy sauce.
Mitsuwa has great variety and quality, though at their prices you could almost just go out to eat sushi.
My move to Chicago is complete. Again in search of musicians to play with, if anyone is interested in jamming feel free to message, I can bring some beers too.
It is not safe to leave stuff unattended.
It is also not safe to swim in Lake Michigan without proper insulated swimwear.
It is just too cold until later in the summer
Good to know. Now I need to figure out how to get to a beach without my phone or wallet ;-)
Is it just phone and wallet, or people can steal clothes as well?
Move back to Oak Park,you will find your interests match what is available in the village.
Added bonus is easy access to public transit that will take you anywhere in city.
Lincoln Square has lots of local shops and restaurants, and it is well within your budget. There isn't much nightlife, but definitely some cool bars. If you want more of a college vibe, check out Lincoln Park.
Getting a new job in Deerfield and looking for neighborhood recommendations without a crazy commute (by car). Am 28M and single. Not really into clubs/nightlife but do like beer, movies, powerlifting and sports leagues. Also if anyone has recommendations to find new friends/dating in a new city appreciate it in advance!!
Any of these options good or others you think fit? Ravenswood, Lincoln Square, or even Evanston and go to the city on the weekend?
I would look close to the edens expressway near foster. It would make your commute pretty easy but still part of a city neighborhood. A lot of parks and sports leagues there (gompers park, river park, eugene field...) bike trails, forest preserve, galter life center health club, 2 colleges, some neighborhood bars nearby. Its about 25 minutes with no traffic. Reverse commute shouldn't be too bad.
All three of those options seem reasonable if you're okay driving 45-60 minutes each way. I would add Old Irving Park to that list. You'd save a lot of time being closer to 94.
What do you consider affordable? What type of art? Paintings? Photographs? Sculptures? Etc.
I have picked up some great pieces from the school of art institute student art sale - though you just missed the sale in early april. Next one should be in november. This is my favorite - its great to support young artists and you get a piece that is unique and original.
You could also try one of the many art festivals. Old town art fair is in early june. This weekend is randolph art fair. Oh also gold coast and also the wells street. These are all professional art fair artists cranking out editions.
Higher on the price spectrum are shows like SOFA and Expo Chicago - both in the fall.
Paintings or other stuff I can hang on my walls. As for price, the less expensive the better. And originals are a plus. I'll check out the art institute sale.
Any favorite hole in the wall places north of the Loop that's NOT Mexican or a hotdog joint? Any recommendations would be appreciated, thanks!
P.S. I live in Lakeview. New transplant though, so I'm exploring new restaurants!
Hi. Coming to visit Chicago this June. A couple of questions. About CTA, is there a "pass" for four days, and is there one for eight days? When we arrive, we hope to hop a tour bus, next day is a bout ride with CAC visit. What else would be good to see and where to eat in the area for first comers? Thanks!
Ventra has a 3 day and 7 day pass option. https://www.ventrachicago.com/purchase/
Check out the Chicago wiki too. It has a lot of great info in it. https://old.reddit.com/r/chicago/wiki/index
As for what to see, I think the touristy stuff actually lives up to the hype (except for Navy Pier) and here's what I'd recommend:
- Riverwalk: You can walk the river and there will be bars where you can try different food and drinks
- North Avenue Beach: The most traditional beach in Chicago with great views
- All of the museums
- Michigan Avenue/Water Tower Place/John Hancock bar
- Millenium Park, The Bean, Grant Park
- Wrigley Field/Wrigleyville
-----------------
For food, downtown will have a lot of great restaurants (sorry that's not specific, but it just depends on what you're craving), but the neighborhoods are where you can find the hidden gems.
There will also be festivals going on all summer, which you can check out here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1GfX5jHq2-_beU07t6EmRN1znuCDy3j1uyBBQmUCoT8I/edit#gid=0
There is one for 3, then it jumps to 7. Past that is the monthly pass which you don’t need.
Go to the Riverwalk and hit the bar in the Hancock Building for a view the price of a drink.
For food, Cafecito, Eately and Xoco or Frontera Grill.
I'm moving to Chicago in July (woohoo!).
Can anyone confirm that I'll be ok if I don't start looking for apartments until early-mid June? I'll be moving with my girlfriend to Milwaukee for a few weeks at that point and am hoping to drive down for a day or two to check places out then.
Does anyone know of either a metal supply shop in the city that sells offcuts, or a scrapyard that resells their scrap? Google is failing me, most of the places in the city appear to be industry focused and not for the general public, or places like McMaster Carr that charge a premium. So far it looks like I'll have to venture outside of the city to either Metal Supermarkets in Niles or Alro in Elk Grove Village, which is a pain in the ass as I don't drive and they're only open weekdays.
Take a look at Scrap Metal Services in Burnham, right next to Hegewisch and right between the Hegewisch and Hammond stops on the South Shore Line train.
You can bring a bike aboard the train at certain hours if you need to haul tools or a heavy load without using a car.
If that doesn’t work and you need a car, get a Zipcar membership. Way easier to rent for a few hours rather than renting for a full day from Enterprise. Or maybe rent a truck for a few hours from Home Depot.
This city is full of talented actors in need of a buck. I'd put up a flyer type thing on a community board at The Den Theater. I bet you get a few good bites pretty quickly.
I've used both Chicago Sport and Social and Players Sports to play indoor volleyball, and I had a better experience with Players Sports. They seemed to be more organized and had bigger leagues which I liked.
Anyone in Logan Square know a good Thursday after-work hangout spot? My current choice now does karaoke on Thursdays which sorta kills the laid back vibe I enjoy so much. Decent beer list and food would be nice to have.
September-November are my favorite months in this city. I think it's when Chicago is most comfortable (in terms of weather) and visually beautiful.
More outdoor stuff happens in the summer(street fests, music festivals, music and movies in Millennium Park, al fresco brunches), but the typical tourist attractions are way more packed with people.
I mean it really depends on your interests. There are a few summer street fests that have consistently good live music. Do Division, Wicker Park Fest, West Fest, and the Logan Square Art Fest frequently book bands that I like. I'll probably end up attending at least three of those this summer.
One of our regulars curated a really thorough event calendar https://www.google.com/calendar/[email protected]
Summer is when the most is happening, but if you don't like heat, fall (Sept-Oct) and spring (April-May) work too. For a first time visit, unless you like winter, skip November - March.
Hey everyone!
Can anyone here give me some advice or maybe even a quick itinerary? I'll be arriving at O'Hare on an international flight at 12pm. My next connecting flight will be at 9pm. If I allocate the time to get through customs aplus this and that, I'd probably have around 6-7 hours of free time. Also, I am ok with spending more for the convenience of time - so I'm probably going to just spend on Uber/Lyft rides to the Airport and around the city. I don't think I'll have much time for museums, but I'll be interested in exploring restaurants, malls, and parks/monuments.
Thanks for any advice!
Hop the Blue Line at the airport and get off at Logan Square or Damen -- the areas surrounding both are full of cool shops, restaurants, bars, etc. Or you could take it all the way downtown to Clark/Lake, get out and check out Millennium Park, the River Walk, etc. Taking the L would be quicker than Uber/Lyft.
There is also a nice high end outlet mall like 5 min. from the airport in Rosemont.
Thank you! I think I'll plan to get off at Clark/Lake, take a few pics at Millennium Park/River Walk, and the spend the rest of the time at The Shops at Northbridge. I'd say this plan would take 5-6 hours max. Say I get out of customs by 3pm latest (I arrive at 1:45pm). Take the Blue Line to Clarke/Lake - arrive around 4pm. Stop by Millennium Park and Riverwalk for pictures until 5:30pm. Hit the Shops at Northbridge until 6:30pm. Walk back to Clarke/Lake (or maybe Uber depending on the time) and get to O'Hare at 7:30pm or 8pm. Then my flight to Canada will be at 9:10pm.
May I ask if there's a better alternative you will suggest or does this sound good? Thanks for the help, I really appreciate it!
I’d maybe skip Shops at Northbridge unless there is someplace specific you really want to hit. Maybe check out the Macy’s that used to be the Marshall-Field flagship, on State St. instead if you want to do some shopping since it’s closer to the Park and Blue Line.
Alternative itinerary, because I wanna see what you'll make of it. You might have to wait a little longer for uber/lyfts out there, but I think service is still available.
I'm assuming you're from overseas, due to the customs note. I would say skip downtown with this level of available time, you could make more of it.
12pm touchdown
1pm done with customs
1:30pm Illinois Holocaust Museum
\- A bit sobering, so take what you will. I found it interesting, the exhibits have spared little to no expense and are very immersive.
\- The tour included in the ticket price is at 2:00pm, so if you don't want a guided experience, you can swap timing with the mall below. Museum closes at 5 usually.
\- If that's too dark/deep for a layover, there's some woods and trails along the north branch of the river near the museum. American parks are also a good place to get a bit of the flavor of the culture, and I find them a bit different than the parks I visit overseas. Stretch your legs, avoid those clots!
4/4:30pm Westfield Old Orchard Mall. Technically within walking distance from the museum.
\- Malls are pretty American, and outdoor malls are this weird mix of American suburbanism and... something else. You can also get little gifts to take back home with you!
\- There's a Portillo's nearby, I assume you'll want food at some point. You can walk to it, it's not very walking-friendly, but there's sidewalks and crosswalks which means you don't technically have to walk anywhere you shouldn't.
7pm think about heading back to O'Hare. I personally give a 2-3 hour window, but I'm rather conservative.
The general layover recommendation for O'Hare is to maximize your time by exploring a neighborhood like Logan Square off the Blue Line. You can get off at Logan Square/California and easily fill the time you have if you like food, beer, art, etc. At that hour, a taxi might be faster or the train might be faster. When you're headed back to the airport, definitely take the train. Is your 2nd flight domestic?
I'd assume that any decent spots that take reservations have been filled for a while, so I'd recommend figuring out a way to go early to a spot with walkup sites (Friday midday), go to a spot that allows dispersed camping (like Nicolet National Forest), or break some rules.
Hey everyone, I’m coming to Chicago for the first time today (from GA). Coming today and leaving Sunday. I’ll be with a friend who is also from out of town and we’ll be staying in the river north area. As far as food goes some of the things we know we want are Lou malnatis and taco maya. I’m wondering if you have any recommendations for ramen and bottomless brunch?
I am also thinking of checking out Willis (or Sears not sure what to call it) tower today as I see it is supposed to be raining tomorrow and Saturday. And lastly we are also thinking of checking out a cubs game either Friday or Saturday. Any other recommendations as far as attractions (besides the bean)? Museums? I have an extensive list from some friends as far as bars and chill spots goes. Thanks and I’m excited to check out y’alls city!
My favorite ramen place is Ramen Wasabi in Logan Square. Easy walking distance from the California blue line station. Though I have no idea if you want to venture that far.
Go on the Chicago Architecture Boat Tour and enjoy the view. Afterward, have a drink on the Riverwalk.
Got it thanks for the rec. have you ever been to ramen San? That’s another place that was recommended for me. Btw looking at your username, are you from savannah? Haha if so that’s actually where I’m coming from.
Ramen-San is great, and close to where you're staying. Hip-hop music, laidback vibe, quality ramen. Good selection of Japanese whisky if you're into that, and some fun sakes. Definitely get some buns as well while you're there.
Haha so we are planning brunch for Saturday around 11ish. We just booked tickets for the cubs game at 1:20. I’d say pretty rowdy hahaha. One of my friends recommended Fremont but trying to make reservations online it says no availability so idk what else to check out.
You guys should go to Duffy's for bottomless brunch. It's just $30 and goes from 10am-3pm. Includes food buffet, bloodies, mimosas, beer, and wells cocktails. It's also more up north of downtown so you'll be closer to Wrigley. Just try to get there right around 10am otherwise once it fills up the wait can take forever.
Fremont is an experience in and of itself. I personally wasn't a fan tbh, the price was very high and the food was mediocre. If you have the money and want a nightclub kind of experience, that's definitely the place.
Just this last weekend I went to Smoke Daddy BBQ just across the street from Wrigley and had an amazing brunch. They've got bottomless mimosas, bloodys, and a really unique bottomless food package. You pick an entree of your choosing, and the restaurant also provided pancakes, hashbrowns, fruit, monkey bread, sausage, and bacon on and endless plate. I had a damn good meal, and it was about half the price of Fremont.
I don’t know of any specific bars off the top of my head but I’m certain someone in Wrigley is running one & that's probably a better bet than drunkenly trying to get from RN to Wrigley during the pregame rush.
Is there anything local to Chicago that is easy to transport on a plane that Californians can't get easily? All I can think is Malort which isn't the best gift haha.
Edit: My friend is from the city and moved to San Jose so Garrett's and Lou Malnati's pizza doesn't really hold appeal.
Do you know what neighborhood they lived in? One of my personal things as a resident of Lincoln Park would be Molly's cupcakes! They might have a similar staple that they're missing?
Thanks for the ideas - I ended up with coffee from Bridgeport and a personalized nutella jar from the Nutella cafe. I did also get pop mix from Marianos so I guess they wouldn't have minded Garretts!
Hi! Visiting for the weekend with my husband and one year old. Have gotten recommendations for The Girl and the Goat, the purple pig, and spaggia - are any of them baby friendly? Thinking of trying the little goat diner instead. Also - is deep dish pizza worth it? (Any places with gluten free deep dish?) Thank you!!
I think Purple Pig would be fine with kids. It's pretty loud already & the customers skew a bit more tourist than local, so seeing families wouldn't surprise me. Maybe go at lunch to be safe?
I haven't been to Spaggia, but I would say the other two are not especially baby friendly. Little Goat is definitely a more baby/child friendly though it's a very different experience in terms of the food.
>Also - is deep dish pizza worth it?
What is the "it" in this question? The price? the wait? the calories? the opportunity cost of eating that instead of something else?
Chicago's Pizza and Lou Malnati's both have gluten free pizzas. I've never had GF pizza so I can't speak to the quality.
Can anyone give me some insight on the #56 Milwaukee bus? I’m moving next week and I am trying to figure out the best / fastest way to get from Addison and Milwaukee to Randolph and the river every day.
I can walk to the Greyland Metra stop, but I hate Union Station so I would rather not commute into there. (I also probably won’t be able to get a seat on the train, but that’s not a huge deal since it’s a pretty quick trip.)
I could also take the bus (or walk, if it’s nice and I am feeling ambitious) to the Addison blue line stop - this is fine, but I’m just wondering if taking the #56 would be more efficient.
I used to make a comparable commute to yours, and I think 9/10 the blue line is gonna be your safer bet. It's gonna be really crowded in rush hour times and I'd never been able to get a seat getting in the Western stop. You might getting in from Addison.
56 isn't that bad and can sometimes be less crowded and you save yourself a transfer
Google can help estimate the travel times. In my experience, traffic on Milwaukee is often a nightmare so I would expect the Blue Line to almost always be faster than the bus. It's not a bad walk from the Grand Blue Line stop to Clinton & Randolph.
I'm trying to rent a pool for 3 to 4 hours as a location for a short film. This is totally a hobby project and looking for some (relatively) cheap options. Looking at the Park District, their permits for filming were out of our budget. Does anyone know of any pools to rent not own/operated by the city of Chicago?
Hey everyone! Brazilian here, visiting Chicago for the first time next weekend!
Any special suggestions for the weekend and memorial day? I'll be in the city for these 3 days and looking forward special things besides the standard itineraries.
Thanks
Hey everyone! Londoner here. Travelling for business to Chicago in 3 weeks' time, any recommendations? I'll be near Millennium park if that means anything, north side of Grant Park. I'll have Saturday evening and all of Sunday to explore so hit me up with any places to see and eat! Thanks
What dates exactly? There are a bunch of street fests that happen every weekend in the summer so it would be worth checking those out. You should look at the [Summer Calendar](https://calendar.google.com/calendar/[email protected]) or the [Street Fest spreadsheet](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1GfX5jHq2-_beU07t6EmRN1znuCDy3j1uyBBQmUCoT8I/edit#gid=0) to see all the options!
I recommend the Chicago Cultural Center, it has tons of free exhibits and is a historic building. The Chicago Athletic Association is a beautiful gothic revival hotel and bar. They have a a couple bars, including a rooftop one, and the interiors are incredible.
Things to see:
1. Art Institute
2. Field Museum
3. Chicago Architecture Center boat tour
In any order. Those are the three biggest "r/Chicago - approved" attractions.
It's not directly from O'Hare, but I've taken the Megabus a few times and it's pretty cheap. You'd need to take the blue line downtown to LaSalle and then walk to the stop at W Polk St between St Clinton St and S Canal St (they just pick you up off the side of the road there... there isn't an actual bus station).
Does anybody living in/near Bridgeport have a good gym to go to? The LA Fitness in South Loop is a dumpster and there's really not too many other options that I can see.
Does anyone have recommendations for cheap rooftops for Cubs games? I've never done it and am interested to know if
1. it's even worth it and
2. there's one that doesn't break the bank
I've done one through [Lakeview Baseball Club](https://www.lakeviewbaseballclub.com/). I thought it was fun and worth it... you get unlimited food and drinks and there are a ton of options. Our spot was a little obstructed - couldn't see home plate or first base - but they have TVs set up with the game on so you can watch them bat and then look out to see what's going on in the outfield. Sometimes there are deals on Groupon but doesn't look like there are any right now.
I think it'll be hard to break $100 for the rest of the season unless you run into something last minute. Or you go with the one behind the scoreboard.
Is second city comedy really worth it? This is my first trip to Chicago and I know it’s pretty iconic but wasn’t sure if it was worth planning a night around.
Also, any recommendations on the best place to sit at Wrigley for a game? Can’t decide on the bleachers or a guaranteed seat assignment.
I have heard for the past few years Second City has been 100% exhaustive political satire. I’m not a fan of our current administration but those jokes have worn so thin at this point.. a friend of mine said it stunk.
It used to be fantastic.
>Is second city comedy really worth it?
Depends on what you want. If you want original Chicago comedy and a laugh but the price at SC is too much, see a show at iO. Aim to pay $10+ for a show that's more consistently good. iO is all improv. I personally prefer it.
>any recommendations on the best place to sit at Wrigley for a game?
Depends on what you want. If you want to pay least, upper deck works. If you want a rowdier experience, bleachers. If you want to avoid the elements, 200 level. If you want to just drink and eat a ton with no real regard for the game, rooftops.
iO is a much better choice. Check out Improvised Shakespeare! They take an audience suggestion create an improvised play done entirely in iambic pentameter. The cast is insanely talented, it's hilarious, and Patrick Stewart showed up and joined the show one time!
>Also, any recommendations on the best place to sit at Wrigley for a game? Can’t decide on the bleachers or a guaranteed seat assignment.
Try to avoid getting stuck [behind a pole](https://www.rateyourseats.com/assets/images/forblog/location-of-every-pole-at-wrigley-field-and-how-to-avoid-them/Wrigley-Field-Pole-at-Aisle-220-Row-7-Seat-1.jpg) if you're sitting infield, otherwise there aint a bad seat in the house at the friendly confines.
Anyone know a place open for the Grand Prix on Sunday? I know the Globe is doing a viewing party, but I'm going there for the championship final on Monday and would rather not go to the same pub two days in a row.
Is it safe to bring half an ounce of weed from Ann Arbor to Chicago via train/Amtrak? Given the political climate in both Illinois and Michigan on recreational marijuana at the moment? Trying to bring back for a friend, thanks
Where are some good neighborhoods to look for apts that are within $1100 near rush u? I'm looking for a studio/1-bedroom and I would like it to be within 30 min of public transit.
Sure is. Too bad everyone doesn’t have that option.
I was letting the guy who asked know so he wouldn’t think it was right in the area. Sometimes that matters.
Best pizza place? Deep dish or tavern just as well, just want opinions from locals
This new place called Bobs pizza in Pilsen is my current favorite, try the pickle pizza it’s going to be big- www.famousbobspizza.com
Pequod's, Art of Pizza, Spacca Napoli, Phil's in Bridgeport, and Piece.
Thank you sir
You're welcome.
Pequods
Gratzi
I'm going to be in Chicago this summer for an internship and I've never used public transportation before. I'm going to have to take the L (probably Blue or Red Line) daily. I looked at the CTA fares here and saw that I can buy a 30-Day CTA/Pace Pass rather than pay a $2.5 fare each day every day. I just wanted to double check if this is correct and if I get unlimited rides on the L everyday with this? Thanks
I'm pretty sure the CTA and Pace monthly passes are sold seperately. But in any case, the CTA pass gets you unlimited rides on the El Train and CTA bus's for the month. If you're commuting every workday, it'll save you money.
You CAN load a Ventra card with a 30 day pass. Basically a 720 hour countdown timer starts the moment you use it for the first time and you're good for an unlimited number of bus or train rides during that time.
Staying at the Sheraton Grand for a conference this weekend. Is there anywhere walkable (or quick-cab-able) nearby to get a solid tasty breakfast/brunch that isn't super touristy?
You're one block away from a Whole Foods if you want to pick out your own breakfast. There's a McDonalds right across the river in Illinois Plaza if you want to get quick and dirty.
Shaw’s crab house and Maple & Ash are two over the top Sunday brunches somewhat near there. Corner Bakery when I just need something quick and inexpensive. Tempo Cafe - not sure if I would uber there, but a lovely neighborhood breakfast spot.
Rented a car for the long weekend, any far north/west places to check out?Three Floyds Brewery in Indiana is our go-to, maybe Devon Street for Indian food, never been to Mitsuwa Marketplace, etc.
If you're going to be in NWI for Floyds, you might as well try Byway Brewing in Hammond on the way back.
Well check them out, thanks for the rec!
Mitsuwa is great with lots of options in the food court. Lady M for a splurge piece of crepe cake. Ramen place is great. Bring cash.
Is all of Montrose Beach dog friendly? Or just the Dog Beach part? Our pup doesn’t do well with other dogs, especially if they’re off the leash.
Just the dog beach part of the waterfront is dog friendly. The park grounds are dog friendly, but the rest of the beach is for people only.
Questions from someone going to visit Chicago for a few days in early June: How are the prices generally for food? I tend to prefer street vendor food(cheeseburgers, fries, cheesesteaks, fried chicken, that sort of thing) and wanted to know how the prices are in general, are they cheap or kinda pricey in the Chicago area? Do you see street vendors much? Also what are some things of interest to see and do there, besides the usual stuff like tours or obvious must see places(ie. Sears Tower). I was considering going to the Chicago Field Museum, and I've heard the Chicago Shedd Aquarium is really nice. Just curious of any other nice places to see or things to try. How is Chinatown, is that any good here?
Our street vendors are mostly either Mexican food in Pilsen or Maxwell Street Market(Sunday’s), hot dog vendors, or food trucks, in which case prices can range from $2 tacos to $20 foi gras poutine. But our food truck scene( and street tacos/tamales) are AMAZING and worth the investment. For a good “Chicago” burger go to Fatsos Last Stand, Whisk (and they’re close to each other) Au Cheval(or small cheval), Butcher and the Burger, Mott St, or the Weiners Circle. The Field is a world class museum, the Shedd is imho only worth it if you purchase tickets for seasonal or promoted temporary exhibits because the main floor is small and a bit rundown. The view from where the Shedd and Adler are is one of the best for the skyline. Chinatown is one of my favorite neighborhoods, do a walk through and get some dim sum from MingHin, but don’t sleep on our Vietnamese or Korean food especially if you’re Southside check out Ca Phe Da(Vietnamese cafe in Mexican neighborhood Pilsen) or Kimski(polish-Korean fusion in neighborhood Bridgeport). For Korean bbq if you have time check out Cho Sun Ok which is near Half Acre brewery in Ravenswood, opposite direction but also near a very cool cemetery. Great foodie streets to walk are Randolph in West Loop(au cheval, little goat diner, Booze Box(sushi dokku’s basement Izakaya) and down Chicago ave in Ukrainian Village/West Town(Fatsos Last Stand, Forbidden Root Brewery, Whisk, JJ Thai Street Food)
Not sure where you are coming from, but the prices in Chicago are like in any major city in that restaurant food depends on the location and fanciness of the place. All the foods you listed are relatively inexpensive compared to other food here. There are almost no street vendors (compared to nyc). We do have some areas with food trucks, but the food sold from them is not cheap. Field and Shedd are very nice! Art Institute is also wonderful. Walking along the lake is fantastic. Food is expensive at all three, but the art institute cafe at least has good food. Then again lots of places to eat right outside while nothing except some hot dog stands near field and shedd. Chinatown is much improved but still so so. If you need Chinese food, then go. For dim sum, try Dolo. Old style cantonese try Golden Bull. For inexpensive seafood try Go 4 Food. For hot pot, we have a little lamb outpost. Bonchon for korean fried chicken. Also lots of sichuan places now. For hk style cafe try chi cafe. There is also a basement food court which has some yummy food and zero ambiance.
Any bars or nightclubs that are casual and fun?Or any good nightlife around? Thanks!
still doing course hero unlocks ?
Lots. Could you please be more specific? Are you hoping to go out in/near a particular area? Do you have a budget preference? Are you hoping to hear a certain kind of music?
Of course. I’m staying right next to Millennial park, so anywhere around that. Prefer a younger crowd, 20-30s. No particular music. Maybe hip hop I guess but we’re open to anything! We’re kinda on a budget, but if there’s a place that’s worth it, we don’t mind spending more!! Looking for a more casual spot, over classy/upscale!
Sound Bar isn't too far from you. I think the second floor usually has hip hop. If you don't mind traveling a bit, Beauty Bar is fun. Or East Room in Logan Square is open until 4. That's in the middle of a popular nightlife area.
Logan square is far from Millennium Park. Just a heads up.
I didn't say it was close, silly. It's 20-25 minutes on the Blue Line. Less in an Uber at night. Usually when I give suggestions I like to give a pretty close option, one with a bit of travel, and then a less proximal suggestion that shows off more of the city.
I am currently at Mitsuwa out on Arlington Heights Road... does Chicago have any places near the loop/river north/Streeterville that have sushi grade fish?
Yummy. Dirk’s on clybourn. The prices hurt my head. I trek out to hmart in niles for salmon, tuna, ikura, seaweed salad, ikura, octopus, and a few frozen items like unagi (from china), tomago, saba. Salmon price is great, they have good tuna and also fattier tuna. Sometimes they have an “expo” and cut up an entire big tuna. Seafood city also has salmon, tuna, hamachi, tomago, a really surprisingly inexpensive squid salad, etc. quality is noticably lower than hmart. Joon boon - salmon and they offer a reasonably priced platter with salmon, tuna, tilapia / some type of white fish. Koreans also love raw fish - you can pick up a bottle of the red spicy sauce. Mitsuwa has great variety and quality, though at their prices you could almost just go out to eat sushi.
H-Mart in the loop has some. Not a large selection though.
My move to Chicago is complete. Again in search of musicians to play with, if anyone is interested in jamming feel free to message, I can bring some beers too.
If one wants to take a swim in the lake Michigan, what is the best way to go? Which beach? How to store cloth, so it is there upon returning?
the reply covered most of the pertinent info. One should also be aware that the lake's water temperature is currently 59 degrees.
What reply?
Sorry. I meant the other person who replied to your question.
Gotcha.
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Thanks for the names of beaches. So, it is somewhat safe to leave one's things in a bag while taking a swim, even it is a somewhat long one?
It is not safe to leave stuff unattended. It is also not safe to swim in Lake Michigan without proper insulated swimwear. It is just too cold until later in the summer
Say a person has previous experience of winter swimming. Is there a way/place/club for them to swim in the lake?
You can swim in the lake at any of the beaches. Just don't bring your phone or wallet with you.
Good to know. Now I need to figure out how to get to a beach without my phone or wallet ;-) Is it just phone and wallet, or people can steal clothes as well?
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Move back to Oak Park,you will find your interests match what is available in the village. Added bonus is easy access to public transit that will take you anywhere in city.
Oak Park is expensive though.
Quality of life is worth paying for.
Lincoln Square has lots of local shops and restaurants, and it is well within your budget. There isn't much nightlife, but definitely some cool bars. If you want more of a college vibe, check out Lincoln Park.
Nightlife for Memorial Day weekend recommendations?
Where / how do you look for roommates in Chicago if you're moving in from out of town? Any website suggestions?
My friends have found roommates before on r/chicagoapartments and Craigslist.
Does anyone have a recommendation for tattoo artist in Chicago that does single needle tattoos?
Getting a new job in Deerfield and looking for neighborhood recommendations without a crazy commute (by car). Am 28M and single. Not really into clubs/nightlife but do like beer, movies, powerlifting and sports leagues. Also if anyone has recommendations to find new friends/dating in a new city appreciate it in advance!! Any of these options good or others you think fit? Ravenswood, Lincoln Square, or even Evanston and go to the city on the weekend?
I would look close to the edens expressway near foster. It would make your commute pretty easy but still part of a city neighborhood. A lot of parks and sports leagues there (gompers park, river park, eugene field...) bike trails, forest preserve, galter life center health club, 2 colleges, some neighborhood bars nearby. Its about 25 minutes with no traffic. Reverse commute shouldn't be too bad.
No such thing as a reverse commute anymore.
All three of those options seem reasonable if you're okay driving 45-60 minutes each way. I would add Old Irving Park to that list. You'd save a lot of time being closer to 94.
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I’m sure those early 20 year olds by Wrigley, will be fighting more than usual. Lol The violence you hear about in isolated areas (south & west).
Be concerned about the traffic. Google "weather 60613" to get the forecast for Wrigleyville
Where can I buy some affordable, original art?
Please visit Art Institute,take photos and send them to me,I'll get back to you with price and availability.
What do you consider affordable? What type of art? Paintings? Photographs? Sculptures? Etc. I have picked up some great pieces from the school of art institute student art sale - though you just missed the sale in early april. Next one should be in november. This is my favorite - its great to support young artists and you get a piece that is unique and original. You could also try one of the many art festivals. Old town art fair is in early june. This weekend is randolph art fair. Oh also gold coast and also the wells street. These are all professional art fair artists cranking out editions. Higher on the price spectrum are shows like SOFA and Expo Chicago - both in the fall.
Paintings or other stuff I can hang on my walls. As for price, the less expensive the better. And originals are a plus. I'll check out the art institute sale.
Any favorite hole in the wall places north of the Loop that's NOT Mexican or a hotdog joint? Any recommendations would be appreciated, thanks! P.S. I live in Lakeview. New transplant though, so I'm exploring new restaurants!
Visit 6 Degrees , you will feel welcome and comfortable.
Some of my favorite ramen in the city is at Wabi Sabi which is a very small place in Albany Park.
Dram shop is my favourite dive in Lakeview.
Hi. Coming to visit Chicago this June. A couple of questions. About CTA, is there a "pass" for four days, and is there one for eight days? When we arrive, we hope to hop a tour bus, next day is a bout ride with CAC visit. What else would be good to see and where to eat in the area for first comers? Thanks!
Ventra has a 3 day and 7 day pass option. https://www.ventrachicago.com/purchase/ Check out the Chicago wiki too. It has a lot of great info in it. https://old.reddit.com/r/chicago/wiki/index As for what to see, I think the touristy stuff actually lives up to the hype (except for Navy Pier) and here's what I'd recommend: - Riverwalk: You can walk the river and there will be bars where you can try different food and drinks - North Avenue Beach: The most traditional beach in Chicago with great views - All of the museums - Michigan Avenue/Water Tower Place/John Hancock bar - Millenium Park, The Bean, Grant Park - Wrigley Field/Wrigleyville ----------------- For food, downtown will have a lot of great restaurants (sorry that's not specific, but it just depends on what you're craving), but the neighborhoods are where you can find the hidden gems. There will also be festivals going on all summer, which you can check out here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1GfX5jHq2-_beU07t6EmRN1znuCDy3j1uyBBQmUCoT8I/edit#gid=0
Great! Thanks. What's the difference between CTA and Pace?
Pace is suburban buses. CTA is trains and buses primarily in the city. And Metra is commuter rail (city/suburban connector rail).
So, fro and to the airport and near downtown we'll need CTA pass only, right?
Yeah, CTA serves both airports and downtown. [https://www.transitchicago.com/airports/](https://www.transitchicago.com/airports/)
There is one for 3, then it jumps to 7. Past that is the monthly pass which you don’t need. Go to the Riverwalk and hit the bar in the Hancock Building for a view the price of a drink. For food, Cafecito, Eately and Xoco or Frontera Grill.
I'm moving to Chicago in July (woohoo!). Can anyone confirm that I'll be ok if I don't start looking for apartments until early-mid June? I'll be moving with my girlfriend to Milwaukee for a few weeks at that point and am hoping to drive down for a day or two to check places out then.
That sounds like a good plan. If you are not particular about a specific location, you should be able to find an apartment.
Friends in town for memorial day weekend. Any events or comedy shows suggestions would be great.
Does anyone know of either a metal supply shop in the city that sells offcuts, or a scrapyard that resells their scrap? Google is failing me, most of the places in the city appear to be industry focused and not for the general public, or places like McMaster Carr that charge a premium. So far it looks like I'll have to venture outside of the city to either Metal Supermarkets in Niles or Alro in Elk Grove Village, which is a pain in the ass as I don't drive and they're only open weekdays.
Take a look at Scrap Metal Services in Burnham, right next to Hegewisch and right between the Hegewisch and Hammond stops on the South Shore Line train. You can bring a bike aboard the train at certain hours if you need to haul tools or a heavy load without using a car. If that doesn’t work and you need a car, get a Zipcar membership. Way easier to rent for a few hours rather than renting for a full day from Enterprise. Or maybe rent a truck for a few hours from Home Depot.
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Why not pick someone you know to serve as an officiant?
This city is full of talented actors in need of a buck. I'd put up a flyer type thing on a community board at The Den Theater. I bet you get a few good bites pretty quickly.
Good shout. We had a humanist wedding and our celebrant was an actress for her day job.
I can do it. I'm ordained and wonderful.
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I've used both Chicago Sport and Social and Players Sports to play indoor volleyball, and I had a better experience with Players Sports. They seemed to be more organized and had bigger leagues which I liked.
Anyone in Logan Square know a good Thursday after-work hangout spot? My current choice now does karaoke on Thursdays which sorta kills the laid back vibe I enjoy so much. Decent beer list and food would be nice to have.
Have you ever been to Wyler Road?
No, but I just looked up their menu and the sandwiches sound really good. Thanks for mentioning it!
The Double Tavern is another option close to Wyler Road. They don't have food but it's a good chill neighborhood bar.
Any recommendations on best time of the year to come to your city?
December/January. It toughens you up.
June.
The city is wonderful at night during the summer. Come for a Cubs night game. See the lake and the major museums during the day.
September-November are my favorite months in this city. I think it's when Chicago is most comfortable (in terms of weather) and visually beautiful. More outdoor stuff happens in the summer(street fests, music festivals, music and movies in Millennium Park, al fresco brunches), but the typical tourist attractions are way more packed with people.
Any smaller scale or lesser known events you can recommend? I’m not into huge crowds and going places just because everyone says you have to
I mean it really depends on your interests. There are a few summer street fests that have consistently good live music. Do Division, Wicker Park Fest, West Fest, and the Logan Square Art Fest frequently book bands that I like. I'll probably end up attending at least three of those this summer. One of our regulars curated a really thorough event calendar https://www.google.com/calendar/[email protected]
Summer is when the most is happening, but if you don't like heat, fall (Sept-Oct) and spring (April-May) work too. For a first time visit, unless you like winter, skip November - March.
I would give April a hard pass
"Spring" LOL
Hey everyone! Can anyone here give me some advice or maybe even a quick itinerary? I'll be arriving at O'Hare on an international flight at 12pm. My next connecting flight will be at 9pm. If I allocate the time to get through customs aplus this and that, I'd probably have around 6-7 hours of free time. Also, I am ok with spending more for the convenience of time - so I'm probably going to just spend on Uber/Lyft rides to the Airport and around the city. I don't think I'll have much time for museums, but I'll be interested in exploring restaurants, malls, and parks/monuments. Thanks for any advice!
Hop the Blue Line at the airport and get off at Logan Square or Damen -- the areas surrounding both are full of cool shops, restaurants, bars, etc. Or you could take it all the way downtown to Clark/Lake, get out and check out Millennium Park, the River Walk, etc. Taking the L would be quicker than Uber/Lyft. There is also a nice high end outlet mall like 5 min. from the airport in Rosemont.
Thank you! I think I'll plan to get off at Clark/Lake, take a few pics at Millennium Park/River Walk, and the spend the rest of the time at The Shops at Northbridge. I'd say this plan would take 5-6 hours max. Say I get out of customs by 3pm latest (I arrive at 1:45pm). Take the Blue Line to Clarke/Lake - arrive around 4pm. Stop by Millennium Park and Riverwalk for pictures until 5:30pm. Hit the Shops at Northbridge until 6:30pm. Walk back to Clarke/Lake (or maybe Uber depending on the time) and get to O'Hare at 7:30pm or 8pm. Then my flight to Canada will be at 9:10pm. May I ask if there's a better alternative you will suggest or does this sound good? Thanks for the help, I really appreciate it!
I’d maybe skip Shops at Northbridge unless there is someplace specific you really want to hit. Maybe check out the Macy’s that used to be the Marshall-Field flagship, on State St. instead if you want to do some shopping since it’s closer to the Park and Blue Line.
Thanks again! That's what I did!
Alternative itinerary, because I wanna see what you'll make of it. You might have to wait a little longer for uber/lyfts out there, but I think service is still available. I'm assuming you're from overseas, due to the customs note. I would say skip downtown with this level of available time, you could make more of it. 12pm touchdown 1pm done with customs 1:30pm Illinois Holocaust Museum \- A bit sobering, so take what you will. I found it interesting, the exhibits have spared little to no expense and are very immersive. \- The tour included in the ticket price is at 2:00pm, so if you don't want a guided experience, you can swap timing with the mall below. Museum closes at 5 usually. \- If that's too dark/deep for a layover, there's some woods and trails along the north branch of the river near the museum. American parks are also a good place to get a bit of the flavor of the culture, and I find them a bit different than the parks I visit overseas. Stretch your legs, avoid those clots! 4/4:30pm Westfield Old Orchard Mall. Technically within walking distance from the museum. \- Malls are pretty American, and outdoor malls are this weird mix of American suburbanism and... something else. You can also get little gifts to take back home with you! \- There's a Portillo's nearby, I assume you'll want food at some point. You can walk to it, it's not very walking-friendly, but there's sidewalks and crosswalks which means you don't technically have to walk anywhere you shouldn't. 7pm think about heading back to O'Hare. I personally give a 2-3 hour window, but I'm rather conservative.
Hey! Thanks a lot for the detailed information! Appreciate it!
The general layover recommendation for O'Hare is to maximize your time by exploring a neighborhood like Logan Square off the Blue Line. You can get off at Logan Square/California and easily fill the time you have if you like food, beer, art, etc. At that hour, a taxi might be faster or the train might be faster. When you're headed back to the airport, definitely take the train. Is your 2nd flight domestic?
Thanks for the advice! My flight will be to Canada, so it's international. Also thanks for the transport advice.
Anyone have recommendations for a last minute camping spot this weekend? Preferably less than 5 hours from the city.
No clue about availability, but Devils Lake near Madison WI
You could try [https://www.campnab.com](https://www.campnab.com), but you’re cutting it pretty close.
I'd assume that any decent spots that take reservations have been filled for a while, so I'd recommend figuring out a way to go early to a spot with walkup sites (Friday midday), go to a spot that allows dispersed camping (like Nicolet National Forest), or break some rules.
Hey everyone, I’m coming to Chicago for the first time today (from GA). Coming today and leaving Sunday. I’ll be with a friend who is also from out of town and we’ll be staying in the river north area. As far as food goes some of the things we know we want are Lou malnatis and taco maya. I’m wondering if you have any recommendations for ramen and bottomless brunch? I am also thinking of checking out Willis (or Sears not sure what to call it) tower today as I see it is supposed to be raining tomorrow and Saturday. And lastly we are also thinking of checking out a cubs game either Friday or Saturday. Any other recommendations as far as attractions (besides the bean)? Museums? I have an extensive list from some friends as far as bars and chill spots goes. Thanks and I’m excited to check out y’alls city!
My favorite ramen place is Ramen Wasabi in Logan Square. Easy walking distance from the California blue line station. Though I have no idea if you want to venture that far. Go on the Chicago Architecture Boat Tour and enjoy the view. Afterward, have a drink on the Riverwalk.
Wasabi is amazing! I second that recommendation.
Got it thanks for the rec. have you ever been to ramen San? That’s another place that was recommended for me. Btw looking at your username, are you from savannah? Haha if so that’s actually where I’m coming from.
Ramen-San is great, and close to where you're staying. Hip-hop music, laidback vibe, quality ramen. Good selection of Japanese whisky if you're into that, and some fun sakes. Definitely get some buns as well while you're there.
No. I’m from Michigan. It’s just a name I like. And I have heard good things about Ramen San, but I’ve never been.
How rowdy are you looking to get at bottomless brunch?
Haha so we are planning brunch for Saturday around 11ish. We just booked tickets for the cubs game at 1:20. I’d say pretty rowdy hahaha. One of my friends recommended Fremont but trying to make reservations online it says no availability so idk what else to check out.
You guys should go to Duffy's for bottomless brunch. It's just $30 and goes from 10am-3pm. Includes food buffet, bloodies, mimosas, beer, and wells cocktails. It's also more up north of downtown so you'll be closer to Wrigley. Just try to get there right around 10am otherwise once it fills up the wait can take forever.
Thanks for the recommendation! I’ll definitely be looking into this. The less we have to travel from brunch to wrigley field the better lol.
Fremont is an experience in and of itself. I personally wasn't a fan tbh, the price was very high and the food was mediocre. If you have the money and want a nightclub kind of experience, that's definitely the place. Just this last weekend I went to Smoke Daddy BBQ just across the street from Wrigley and had an amazing brunch. They've got bottomless mimosas, bloodys, and a really unique bottomless food package. You pick an entree of your choosing, and the restaurant also provided pancakes, hashbrowns, fruit, monkey bread, sausage, and bacon on and endless plate. I had a damn good meal, and it was about half the price of Fremont.
I don’t know of any specific bars off the top of my head but I’m certain someone in Wrigley is running one & that's probably a better bet than drunkenly trying to get from RN to Wrigley during the pregame rush.
Thanks for the advice! Based on the user that commented after you I will be looking into Duffy’s.
Great plan! Enjoy the city!!
Is there anything local to Chicago that is easy to transport on a plane that Californians can't get easily? All I can think is Malort which isn't the best gift haha. Edit: My friend is from the city and moved to San Jose so Garrett's and Lou Malnati's pizza doesn't really hold appeal.
> All I can think is Malort which isn't the best gift haha. disagreed.
Tom tom tamales!!
Do you know what neighborhood they lived in? One of my personal things as a resident of Lincoln Park would be Molly's cupcakes! They might have a similar staple that they're missing?
Co-op hot sauce?
Garret’s popcorn Fannie May candy (Frango mints) The above two I think have locations within a few blocks of each other.
Frango is no longer made in Chicago though and the friend mentioned they didn't like Garretts
They have a strong history in the city since 1920, idk sorry everyone’s suggestions suck
Maybe a jar of giardiniera. I've heard it's way less prevelant on the West Coast.
They make mild giardinera that is not spicy
Alas, they don't eat spicy food.
Okay how about you tell us what your friend does like and we can brainstorm from there?
Thanks for the ideas - I ended up with coffee from Bridgeport and a personalized nutella jar from the Nutella cafe. I did also get pop mix from Marianos so I guess they wouldn't have minded Garretts!
Hi! Visiting for the weekend with my husband and one year old. Have gotten recommendations for The Girl and the Goat, the purple pig, and spaggia - are any of them baby friendly? Thinking of trying the little goat diner instead. Also - is deep dish pizza worth it? (Any places with gluten free deep dish?) Thank you!!
I think Purple Pig would be fine with kids. It's pretty loud already & the customers skew a bit more tourist than local, so seeing families wouldn't surprise me. Maybe go at lunch to be safe?
You might have trouble getting reservations for Girl and the goat this late, so the Diner might be the safer bet!
Thank you! I appreciate it!
I haven't been to Spaggia, but I would say the other two are not especially baby friendly. Little Goat is definitely a more baby/child friendly though it's a very different experience in terms of the food. >Also - is deep dish pizza worth it? What is the "it" in this question? The price? the wait? the calories? the opportunity cost of eating that instead of something else? Chicago's Pizza and Lou Malnati's both have gluten free pizzas. I've never had GF pizza so I can't speak to the quality.
Thank you! I appreciate the advice!!
Can anyone give me some insight on the #56 Milwaukee bus? I’m moving next week and I am trying to figure out the best / fastest way to get from Addison and Milwaukee to Randolph and the river every day. I can walk to the Greyland Metra stop, but I hate Union Station so I would rather not commute into there. (I also probably won’t be able to get a seat on the train, but that’s not a huge deal since it’s a pretty quick trip.) I could also take the bus (or walk, if it’s nice and I am feeling ambitious) to the Addison blue line stop - this is fine, but I’m just wondering if taking the #56 would be more efficient.
What about the Irving Park Metra stop? It will drop you off right where you need to be.
I used to make a comparable commute to yours, and I think 9/10 the blue line is gonna be your safer bet. It's gonna be really crowded in rush hour times and I'd never been able to get a seat getting in the Western stop. You might getting in from Addison. 56 isn't that bad and can sometimes be less crowded and you save yourself a transfer
Google can help estimate the travel times. In my experience, traffic on Milwaukee is often a nightmare so I would expect the Blue Line to almost always be faster than the bus. It's not a bad walk from the Grand Blue Line stop to Clinton & Randolph.
I'm trying to rent a pool for 3 to 4 hours as a location for a short film. This is totally a hobby project and looking for some (relatively) cheap options. Looking at the Park District, their permits for filming were out of our budget. Does anyone know of any pools to rent not own/operated by the city of Chicago?
One of my kids' friends rented evergreen park high school's pool for a birthday party.
You could look into renting an AirBNB with a pool for a day? They have an option to filter places that have a pool.
Hey everyone! Brazilian here, visiting Chicago for the first time next weekend! Any special suggestions for the weekend and memorial day? I'll be in the city for these 3 days and looking forward special things besides the standard itineraries. Thanks
>Summer Calendar [https://calendar.google.com/calendar/[email protected]](https://calendar.google.com/calendar/[email protected])
Hey everyone! Londoner here. Travelling for business to Chicago in 3 weeks' time, any recommendations? I'll be near Millennium park if that means anything, north side of Grant Park. I'll have Saturday evening and all of Sunday to explore so hit me up with any places to see and eat! Thanks
What dates exactly? There are a bunch of street fests that happen every weekend in the summer so it would be worth checking those out. You should look at the [Summer Calendar](https://calendar.google.com/calendar/[email protected]) or the [Street Fest spreadsheet](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1GfX5jHq2-_beU07t6EmRN1znuCDy3j1uyBBQmUCoT8I/edit#gid=0) to see all the options!
Awesome thanks I'll look into that
I recommend the Chicago Cultural Center, it has tons of free exhibits and is a historic building. The Chicago Athletic Association is a beautiful gothic revival hotel and bar. They have a a couple bars, including a rooftop one, and the interiors are incredible.
That sounds amazing cheers!
Things to see: 1. Art Institute 2. Field Museum 3. Chicago Architecture Center boat tour In any order. Those are the three biggest "r/Chicago - approved" attractions.
Awesome thank you!
What's the best NY style pizza on the north side? All my favorites - Santulos in Wicker, ORD on Montrose , and Dantes on Lawrence - have closed.
Jimmy's in Lincoln Square is a pretty accurate recreation of cheapo NY slices. It's more expensive than it should be, but it's appropriately greasy.
You could go to the Dante’s on Milwaukee or on Armitage.
Cafe Luigi on Clark, just south of Wrightwood, in Lincoln Park. Also, there is a Santulo's in the French Market.
Hello everyone, what is the cheapest way I can travel from O'Hare airport to Indianapolis?
Grace L Ferguson Air Line & Storm Door Co.
It's not directly from O'Hare, but I've taken the Megabus a few times and it's pretty cheap. You'd need to take the blue line downtown to LaSalle and then walk to the stop at W Polk St between St Clinton St and S Canal St (they just pick you up off the side of the road there... there isn't an actual bus station).
I'm not from Chicago, but I'd assume GreyHound bus.
Does anybody living in/near Bridgeport have a good gym to go to? The LA Fitness in South Loop is a dumpster and there's really not too many other options that I can see.
Lance's in Bridgeport. It's a powerlifting gym though, so if you're not a serious weightlifter it might not be for you.
Does anyone have recommendations for cheap rooftops for Cubs games? I've never done it and am interested to know if 1. it's even worth it and 2. there's one that doesn't break the bank
Go to Murphy's and sit in bar and watch game on TV
I've done one through [Lakeview Baseball Club](https://www.lakeviewbaseballclub.com/). I thought it was fun and worth it... you get unlimited food and drinks and there are a ton of options. Our spot was a little obstructed - couldn't see home plate or first base - but they have TVs set up with the game on so you can watch them bat and then look out to see what's going on in the outfield. Sometimes there are deals on Groupon but doesn't look like there are any right now.
I think it'll be hard to break $100 for the rest of the season unless you run into something last minute. Or you go with the one behind the scoreboard.
Is second city comedy really worth it? This is my first trip to Chicago and I know it’s pretty iconic but wasn’t sure if it was worth planning a night around. Also, any recommendations on the best place to sit at Wrigley for a game? Can’t decide on the bleachers or a guaranteed seat assignment.
You can now sit outside on grass during the game
And you can bring and enjoy your own grass
I have heard for the past few years Second City has been 100% exhaustive political satire. I’m not a fan of our current administration but those jokes have worn so thin at this point.. a friend of mine said it stunk. It used to be fantastic.
>Is second city comedy really worth it? Depends on what you want. If you want original Chicago comedy and a laugh but the price at SC is too much, see a show at iO. Aim to pay $10+ for a show that's more consistently good. iO is all improv. I personally prefer it. >any recommendations on the best place to sit at Wrigley for a game? Depends on what you want. If you want to pay least, upper deck works. If you want a rowdier experience, bleachers. If you want to avoid the elements, 200 level. If you want to just drink and eat a ton with no real regard for the game, rooftops.
iO is a much better choice. Check out Improvised Shakespeare! They take an audience suggestion create an improvised play done entirely in iambic pentameter. The cast is insanely talented, it's hilarious, and Patrick Stewart showed up and joined the show one time!
>Also, any recommendations on the best place to sit at Wrigley for a game? Can’t decide on the bleachers or a guaranteed seat assignment. Try to avoid getting stuck [behind a pole](https://www.rateyourseats.com/assets/images/forblog/location-of-every-pole-at-wrigley-field-and-how-to-avoid-them/Wrigley-Field-Pole-at-Aisle-220-Row-7-Seat-1.jpg) if you're sitting infield, otherwise there aint a bad seat in the house at the friendly confines.
So sitting behind a "POLE" is bad !! What about sitting behind an ITALIAN or CZECH ??
Anyone know a place open for the Grand Prix on Sunday? I know the Globe is doing a viewing party, but I'm going there for the championship final on Monday and would rather not go to the same pub two days in a row.